Eric Cantor's empty happy talk

9:53 AM,
Feb. 8, 2013

Dana Milbank

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Dana Milbank

Republicans have happened upon a felicitous new strategy for reviving their party from its depressed state: They need only think happy thoughts.

At a retreat for Republican leaders last month, former House speaker Newt Gingrich told them to "learn to be a happy party" and a "cheerful" one, and Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said they should be a party "that smiles." Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal told his fellow Republicans to talk about "just how incredibly bright America's future can be."

In other words, Republicans will win elections if only they can stop being so ...